Cover Stories: Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Jennifer Echols has a new book out--yay! She stopped by on her GCC tour to talk about the cover for Love Story. (Check out her previous Cover Stories for Going Too Far and Endless Summer.) Here's Jennifer!

"I asked for [my character] Erin in the foreground, looking over her shoulder at Hunter at a desk writing in the background. My publisher doesn’t ask me for my input--I just give it, LOL! I didn’t really think they would follow my advice, because my covers are all from stock photos, not photo shoots, and a cover as specific as the one I asked for would have been hard to find. So I also sent them pictures of what the characters should look like. And I asked that above all, the heroine should look happy.

"When I first saw the cover, I thought, 'The heroine is happy! Hooray!' and also 'Why does the heroine have a diamond stud in her nose?'..."

Read the rest of Jennifer's Cover Story at melissacwalker.com.

rgz Newsflash: Sonya Sones' Poetry

We know and love Sonya for her verse novels. Did you know she now has an adult novel titled The Hunchback of Neiman Marcus? Go, Sonya!

In celebration of kids heading to college, Sonya is writing poems, daily, from the mother's point of view as her teen departs. Click here for her blog. Check out this fresh, poignant work, especially if you are headed off to university this season. Maybe you'll gain a bit of insight into your mom. Just maybe...

rgz NYC Host: Hudson Valley YA Society event at Oblong Books!

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of speaking at Oblong Books & Music in Rhinebeck, NY, alongside fellow YA author Nova Ren Suma. 

Those of you who follow @Literaticat on twitter are probably already familiar with her young adult reading series (and if you’re not, you should be!), so I shouldn’t have to tell you that it was a real thrill to be included in her line-up. It was particularly special to be reading and presenting alongside Nova. Nova and I first met when we were working as a copyeditor and book editor, respectively, at a children’s publishing imprint, and we quickly bonded over our “secret” writing aspirations. We shared early frustrations, and were around to celebrate big-time triumphs. These days, we’re both riding the highs and lows of finishing up the second manuscripts on our book contracts, which we often do together, with the aid of much caffeine and baked goods. It goes without saying I’m a HUGE fan of her work.

Thanks again to everyone who came out to chat with us about all things young adult. And thanks to Oblong for having us!

rgz Newsflash: Baby June Hazel is born!

Sending out cherished congratulations to Diva Melissa Walker, for the birth of her daughter, June Hazel! We are thrilled to have this youngest readergirl in our community. Here's to many cherished books read together. I'm packing up a box of board books for this sweetie right now!

Welcome, Baby June! Congrats to you and your hubby, Melissa! We heart you!

Cover Stories: The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

A couple of weeks ago I noticed lots of girls-in-grass covers (my own included) and I mentioned fellow Contemps author Lisa Schroeder's latest, The Day Before, of which Booklist says: "Readers will find plenty of appeal factors in this outing... delivers a punch at the novel's end." (I love an end punch.)

Now she's here to share her Cover Story! Take it away, Lisa:

"I don't think about covers much, mostly because I've learned that it's not good to get attached to anything since who knows what you'll end up with. However, I really thought the cover would be a beach scene of some kind.

"I was surprised, because there wasn't a grain of sand to be found. I thought it was pretty, but I wasn't sure that it conveyed what the book is about. Although, more and more, I'm not sure that's a cover's purpose, necessarily..."

Read the rest of Lisa's Cover Story at melissacwalker.com.

rgz NYC Host: Diva Melissa Walker reads at Books of Wonder!

I'm out of town for the remainder of the summer, but before I left, I had the chance to see our very own diva Melissa read from her latest release, SMALL TOWN SINNERS, at Books of Wonder!

Here's Melissa on the far right (does she make pregnancy look stylin', or what?), and to her left, Gayle Forman, Aprilynne Pike, and Sarah Porter.

After reading from their newest books, the authors answered questions about reading, writing, and inspiration.

Best tip for beating writers' block? Aprilynne's advice is "keep writing," so as not to lose momentum. Well, she definitely seems to be onto something!

Hope everyone's having a fun summer -- filled with great reads!

Cover Stories: A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

Suzanne Young's new book, A Need So Beautiful, scored a star from Booklist, which deemed it "a clever and well-written fantasy." It's also got an absolutely glowing cover.

She stopped by on her Girlfriends Cyber Circuit Tour to tell us about it:

"I had an idea for the cover, but ultimately it would have been too dark. The idea for this one was there from the start, and I think it really captures the warmth and essence of the book.

"When I first saw the image, I was stunned. I loved it. But it didn’t truly hit me how beautiful it was until I saw the entire jacket and back copy.

"Mostly just the colors changed a bit. I didn’t have anything that I wanted to change, so luckily I was pretty happy. It was very different from my first cover experience. [Read about Suzanne's Naughty List covers.]

Read the rest of Suzanne's Cover Story, and see a behind-the-scenes shot of the model, at melissacwalker.com.

Oh, and here's the lovely trailer.

rgz Seattle HOST: Stephanie Guerra and the YA Extravaganza!

Here's a great entry from our Seattle HOST, Stephanie Guerra! Her debut young adult novel, TORN, will be published by Marshall Cavendish in spring of 2012. Take it away, Stephanie!  

Last night, Third Place Books held a YA extravaganza hosting six local authors: Suzanne Young (A Need so Beautiful; The Naughty List), Lisa Schroeder (The Day Before), Eileen Cook (The Education of Hayley Kendrick), Mandy Hubbard (Ripple), Kimberly Derting (The Body Finder; Desires of the Dead) and Cat Patrick (Forgotten).

All of these fabulous authors were warm, funny, and engaging as they took Q and A’s and did some great giveaways. Here are a few fun quotes on inspiration:

Eileen Cook on The Education of Hayley Kendrick: “More people are killed by falling vending machines than shark attacks. I wanted a risk adverse character who would worry about things like this.”

Eileen

Cat Patrick on Forgotten: “My twins were five months old and in the middle of an activity in the kitchen, and I forgot what I was doing. I started to think about how tough it would be to have amnesia, especially in high school. And then I wondered what it would be like if people could remember things in the future…”

Kim Derding said her husband gave her the idea for The Body Finder with the simple question, “What if there was a kid who could find dead bodies?”

Mandy

Suzanne Young found the idea for A Need So Beautiful  when she was offered inspiring words by a stranger after receiving the terrible news that a family member was dying. The incident made her wonder about angels, and the ways that a single sentence can change a person’s life.

And some great advice for aspiring authors!

“Don’t be afraid to get in there and play. You don’t know what you’re good at until you try.” –Lisa Schroeder

“After you’ve written something, walk away for awhile and then come back with truly fresh eyes.” –Cat Patrick

“Continue to write. Sometimes your ideas develop into other ideas that are a little bit better.” –Suzanne Young

“I have stacks of rejection letters. Want it so bad that you’re willing to keep working at it. It’s about not giving up.” –Kimberly Derting

“Give yourself permission to write crap. Crap can be fixed.” –Mandy Hubbard

“Read a lot! …and keep trying, because you don’t have anything to lose.” –Eileen Cook

Cat, Suzanne, and Lisa

And to close, a few suggestions for more great reads. These are the titles the authors offered in response to the question: “What book do you wish you had written?”

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Divergent by Veronica Roth

White Cap and Red Glove by Holly Black

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Mrs. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Thanks for reading, girlz. It was an amazing night all around and I hope you’ll check out some of the books by these talented ladies.

~Stephanie

rgz Shout Out: Young Adult Reader Reviews, Verse Novels

Shout out for our friends and neighbors down under! Check out www.yarr-a.com  Young Adult Reader Reviews-Australia, to find an amazing list of verse novels, as well as other great reads. Stephen has included US and UK title, too. The list is brilliant, and I'm sure he dedicated much time for this resource!

Have you read a verse novel this summer? You know I'm partial. :~) Choose one from the list and let us know how you liked it!

Little Willow's Book Bag

This Week's Picks
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker
The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson
The Heart is Not a Size by Beth Kephart

Cover Stories: Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

As you know if you read this blog, I'm kind of into covers. So when it comes to the subject of my own covers, I feel especially, um, assertive. I like to give inspiration images, write random things down, and generally insert myself to a point that might be annoying.

When my editor Caroline asked me if I had any cover ideas for Small Town Sinners, I sent her this email:

"I'm going to attach some images and give a little explanation of why they're in the mix for me.

"If we show LACEY: I picture her sort of like an early Sissy Spacek:

 

"The FEEL: I love the late sunset, dusty, small-town feel of the NYLON cover, the 'portrait' (really small, sorry), and that GUARDIAN ANGELS book. The color and tone of these images is really appealing to me.

 

**I do really love the close-up on one girl kind of cover, and an American gothic 70s feel seems right to me.

Read the rest of my Cover Story, part 1, at melissacwalker.com.

Cover Stories: The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt

I spent my weekend curled up with Dana Reinhardt's The Summer I Learned to Fly (finished last night) and it's just an enchanting summer story. Here's Publisher's Weekly's starred review. Read, read, read!

And isn't that cover just all twilight and fireflies and wildflowers and good things? Here's Dana to talk about it:

"I never have any idea of what my covers should look like.  I fully recognize that it’s not what I do—I’m not a designer, I’m a writer. I do have strong opinions, though. I know what I like and I know what I don’t and I’m usually pretty good at articulating why.

"They typically ask me if I have any ideas and I typically say no. Then I hold my breath and wait to see what they come up with and hope that I think it’s on the right track. If it’s not, they’ve been great about listening to my reaction.

"With this cover, I fell in love.  Immediately.  This hasn’t always been the case, but it was absolutely the case with this particular cover. It’s just perfect. And it obviously doesn’t hurt to have Markus Zusak’s name on the cover.  In fact, it might even be better if they just took mine off…"

Read the rest of Dana's Cover Story, and see all of her original covers (which have been redesigned!) at melissacwalker.com.

Little Willow's Book Bag

This Week's Picks
The stories of Hans Christian Andersen
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu, illustrated by Erin McGuire
Baltimore, or The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden

Cover Stories: Wolves, Boys & Other Things That Might Kill Me

Kristen Chandler's Wolves, Boys & Other Things That Might Kill Me (read Book Harbinger's great review) got a paperback makeover this year, and I love the new cover! So I asked Kris how it came to be, and what she thought about the redesign. Here she is:

"I was thinking that the paperback would be like the hardback cover (below right)--urban angsty--but I was wrong. Now it's wilderness angsty. Doesn't it just give you the shivers to look at it?

"I didn't give any input for the paperback. I think that's the way it usually works. I was so used to the hardback cover as the face of the novel... It was like having your friend get a makeover that includes their skin color. But the new cover grew on me quickly.

"I was so consumed with the writing of my next book and the marketing, sharing of the WOLVES I didn't even realize that the paperback would have another cover. So it was sort of like... SUR-PRISE! We hope you love it!"


Read the rest of Kristen's Cover Story, and see her original hardcover at melissacwalker.com.

NYC Host: Summer Catch up!

I think the ongoing heatwave must have fried my brain, it's been so long since I posted about all of the fun summer book events going on here in NYC! But in honor of diva Melissa's book release this week, I thought I'd share a quick snapshot from her recent NYC YA baby shower. Left to right, that's Natalie Standiford, me, Jenny Han, Gayle Forman, Libba Bray, and Melissa, of course! What do YA writers discuss over Sunday brunch? Mostly John Hughes films, it turns out.
A book birthday and a baby all at the same time? CONGRATS, Melissa!

And speaking of releases, I've been so caught up in celebrating family that I haven't had a chance to share the trailer for my newest release, What Would My Cell Phone Do? Bad author! 

I'm headed upstate for the month of August, where unfortunately my internet connection is less than reliable, but I promise to try to be more timely about these things going forward! 


Happy summer, and happy reading!

Cover Stories: OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy

Amy Fellner Dominy's debut novel had me laughing as soon as I heard the title and tagline: OyMG "Jewish Girl. Christian Camp. Holy Moly." Now Amy's here to share her Cover Story:

"I hate to admit it, but I had no clue what would make a good cover for this book. When my editor asked if I had any suggestions, I drew a complete blank. (Literally.) I’m guessing I did what many authors do:  I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

"In truth, my cover was all the things I didn’t want: An actual face for my main character; Religious symbols—including a cross; And no cute guy.

"But I took one look and immediately LOVED it.  Truly!  It just felt 'right.' Thank goodness, because my editor told me that was the 16^th version I was seeing. (And no, I didn’t ask to see all the other ones.)

"The only request I made was to have them bump up the romantic elements on the cover. The relationship is such an important part of the book, I didn’t want that to be lost..."

Read the rest of Amy's Cover Story at melissacwalker.com.

PS-Read more about the book, and see the trailer, at The Contemps.

Little Willow's Book Bag

This Week's Picks
My Not-So-Still Life by Liz Gallagher
Heist Society by Ally Carter
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Shout Out: Small Town Sinners in NY Times Book Review!

Yay for our own Melissa Walker and her Small Town Sinners! Did you catch the New York Times Book Review? Woot! Congrats, Melissa!


"Walker has written a credible and tender evocation of the moment when a young person’s beliefs begin to emerge and potentially diverge from the teachings of a family’s religion."


 

Rgz Salon: Lyn Miller-Lachmann on Girls Who Try to Help

Rgz SALON member Lyn Miller-Lachmann has been the Editor-in-Chief of MultiCultural Review; the author of the award-winning multicultural bibliography Our Family, Our Friends, Our World; the editor of Once Upon a Cuento, a collection of short stories by Latino authors; and most recently, the author of Gringolandia, a young adult novel about a refugee family living with the aftermath of the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile. The book is in its third print run and is available for order. (Don't forget to read the fascinating Cover Story for Gringolandia.)

We're honored to have Lyn here as part of the rgz SALON, a feature where top kidlit experts clue us in to the best YA novels they've read recently. Today, she reviews Camo Girl by Kekla Magoon (Simon & Schuster, 2011) and The Trouble With Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante (Putnam, 2011):

"In the first year of my MFA program, I wrote a YA novel about a 14-year-old girl who takes a number of risks in order to help a boy she wants as a friend. As a result of my own project, I’ve been drawn recently to novels about other tween and teen girls who also get involved in the troubled and perhaps dangerous lives of younger boys. Two of those books, Kekla Magoon’s Camo Girl and Danette Vigilante’s The Trouble with Half a Moon portray young protagonists who are, like mine, biracial or bicultural.

"Magoon’s second novel, following the acclaimed The Rock and the River, explores a 12-year-old girl’s conflict between her loyalty to her oldest friend and her one chance to become popular. Shunned by most of her classmates and teased for her vitiligo, more visible because it’s on her face and she’s biracial—African American and white—sixth grader Ella Cartwright finds companionship in Z, a white boy who lives in a fantasy world. Z used to be Ella’s neighbor and consoled her when her father died, but his life fell apart after his father abandoned the family, his house was foreclosed, and he and his mother started to sleep at the Wal-Mart where she works. When the handsome, outgoing new student Bailey—the only other black student in the class—wants to be Ella’s friend, she begins to neglect Z in favor of Bailey and his friends.

"Ella feels guilty when she pulls back from Z, and her abandonment of him sets off a spiral of events that lead him into danger and she and Bailey following in a last-ditch effort to save him. Did she, in fact, betray her oldest friend for the cool new kid? Is she responsible for what happens to Z, or are his problems beyond her ability to fix? Camo Girl addresses these questions in a way that is poignant and realistic, leaving much for the reader to think about in terms of standing up, fitting in, and our responsibility to each other.

"Vigilante’s main character, 13-year-old Dellie, is of Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean heritage, living in a culturally diverse housing project in Brooklyn, New York. Ever since her five-year-old brother died in an accident resulting from her negligence, Dellie has not been allowed to leave her suddenly overprotective parents’ sight. They are consumed with grief and emotionally distant. When five-year-old Corey and his irresponsible, abusive mother move downstairs, Corey fills the emotional void that Dellie’s brother’s death left. Dellie finds herself becoming increasingly involved in Corey’s precarious life at the same time as she grows more distant from her best friend and worries that a boy she likes may be attracted to a cleverer rival. Another new neighbor—an older Jamaican woman with deep spiritual roots—shows Dellie the way to help Corey, her parents, and herself.

"Pitch perfect dialogue and strong, complex characterizations made this debut novel a gripping story from the very beginning. Vigilante does a good job of creating a five-year-old boy who acts his age and reveals only enough to get what he needs without drawing too much attention to himself and provoking more abuse. Little Corey, in fact, becomes a flashpoint in the conflict between Dellie and her friend, which grows out of her friend’s relationship with a boy with whom Dellie does not get along. As in Camo Girl, the climax of The Trouble with Half a Moon comes when Dellie’s devotion to the younger boy puts her own life in danger as well as his, and she learns the limits of her love and protection." -Lyn Miller-Lachmann

The Summer Blog Blast Tour, Shirley Vernick and "The Blood Lie"

If you love writing, reading, and reading interviews with writers, make sure to follow the Summer Blog Blast Tour (SBBT) all week long. Organized by Colleen of the blog Chasing Ray, the SBBT is now in its fifth year of fun. Click here for the full schedule.

Today, I posted my interview with author Shirley Vernick at my blog, Bildungsroman. Here's a sneak peek:

In 1928, a little girl from New York disappeared, and a young Jewish boy was thought to be her murderer - but he was truly innocent. This real-life tragedy inspired Shirley Reva Vernick's debut novel, The Blood Lie, which will be available September 1st. Shirley's relatives were directly victimized by the real event, and she grew up in the town where it happened, yet she didn't know it until she was a college student. In her own words:

Shirley Vernick: I was already in college when I first learned about it. I came home for fall break my sophomore year with an assignment for a sociology class. Students had to identify a local community conflict – past or present – and write a paper about it. I remember thinking, I'm screwed – no juicy controversies ever happen in my dinky little town of Massena, New York. So I asked my dad, who also grew up in Massena, if he had any ideas. That's when he told me, for the first time, about the blood libel that happened in Massena when he was a high school senior. It was just before Yom Kippur, and a little Christian girl disappeared while playing in the woods near her house. The next thing you know, the local Jews – including my dad's family – were being accused of kidnapping and murdering that little girl and baking her blood in their "holiday foods." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. In America? In the 20th century?


To read the full interview, please visit Bildungsroman!